Get that census in

If you haven't filled out your census yet, you're likely getting letters chastising you.

The 2016 census questionnaire was sent out in early May and while a surprisingly high amount of Canadians have enthusiastically and quickly filled it out, millions remain blank.

According to Statistics Canada, it has has received 10.5 million census questionnaires as of Wednesday, about 70 per cent of the 15 million sent out. That leaves 4.5 million, or 30 per cent of the questionnaires outstanding.

In recent "final notice" letters sent out to those not complying, Statistics Canada warns those sitting on their census that they “may be referred to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for further action.”

It also says Statistics Canada will start contacting household members via phone or in person if their census is not completed or returned by May 31, 2016.

“After June 1, a census operator may follow up with a phone call or a census enumerator may visit your household,” says Statistics Canada communications.

“The Census of Population is a national program; every household in Canada must complete a questionnaire. Statistics Canada refers refusal cases to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada only after repeated efforts have been made to obtain a complete questionnaire.”

While residents are encouraged to complete the census before May 31, Statistics Canada expects residents will still be completing them in the coming months.

If, after repeated attempts, a census has not been completed, Statistics Canada says refusals will be referred to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, “which determines if a case will be prosecuted and which handles all prosecutions."

"The penalties laid out in the Statistics Act for refusing to complete the census are a fine (up to $500), prison (up to three months), or both,” explains Statistics Canada.

Section 31 of the Statistics Act:

31. Every person who, without lawful excuse,

•             (a) refuses or neglects to answer, or wilfully answers falsely, any question requisite for obtaining any information sought in respect of the objects of this Act or pertinent thereto that has been asked of him by any person employed or deemed to be employed under this Act, or

•             (b) refuses or neglects to furnish any information or to fill in to the best of his knowledge and belief any schedule or form that the person has been required to fill in, and to return the same when and as required of him pursuant to this Act, or knowingly gives false or misleading information or practises any other deception thereunder is, for every refusal or neglect, or false answer or deception, guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.